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American Airlines Frequent Flier Changes Are Just the Start, Experts Say

Written by: Ted Reed04/10/14 - 9:09 AM EDT

Tickers in this article:
AAL DAL

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (TheStreet) -- Recent changes to American's frequent flier program are as notable for what the carrier didn't do as they are for what it did do, because American didn't move to price-based frequent flier awards.

In announcing alterations to its frequent flier program on Tuesday, "American made some changes more around the edges," said Henry Harteveldt, founder of travel advisory firm Atmosphere Research. "But the big news is what American didn't announce, what they didn't do."

In February, Delta announced that starting next year it will link frequent flier miles to ticket prices rather than distance. With Delta now widely recognized as the pacesetter in the U.S. airline industry, its practice might have been expected to prevail. But that is not what happened.

Rather, Harteveldt said American stayed away from price-linked awards because it is focused today on completing its merger with US Airways. "They have to get through the integration," he said. "They have to deal with complexities like aligning computer reservations systems and moving gates and integrating (work forces). I think their strategy now is to make some minor changes. They will save the major changes until the integration is further along."

It's not clear whether American will eventually follow not only Delta but Southwest, JetBlue and Virgin America in offering price-based frequent flier awards, but Harteveldt is not the only one who expects more changes.

In a note issued Tuesday, JPMorgan analyst Jamie Baker wrote that "while American stopped well short of converting its program to a revenue-based model similar to Delta's, we believe such a change likely lies ahead -- possibly by year-end.

"We conservatively estimate that Delta's changes could increase earnings by $150 million per year, a figure that American would likely eclipse given the larger breadth of its program," as well as the existing product deficiencies, Baker wrote. He noted that Delta has "once again (established) an industry lead in this regard, not to mention in more salient areas such as capital deployment."

American's changes appear to serve two purposes: They generally standardize practices between American and US Airways, and most provide new revenue. Still, "many of the changes, while inconvenient, are minor in scope," Harteveldt said. The changes come in three areas:

For mileage redemption, starting June 1, participants in the US Airways frequent flier program will not have blackout dates. Participants in American's award program will have a lower minimum redemption of 20,000 miles, down from 25,000 miles, for one-way travel during slow travel periods and higher "super peak" rates, starting at 50,000 miles, on the busiest travel days. The changes will standardize the two programs.

For checked bags, American made several changes. AAdvangate gold members and US Airways Dividend Miles platinum and gold members will receive one fewer free bag than they have today. Also, customers buying American's full-fare economy ticket will no longer receive a free bag. Also, starting April 30, most holders of the US Airways credit card will get a free checked bag.

Inflight enhancements include an updated selection of meals for first class US Airways flights longer than 1,000 nautical miles, as well as access to headphones and more entertainment for US Airways business class passengers.